The new culprit

Are you one of those whose phone rings incessantly at odd hours, and you end up answering every call? If you do not change your habit soon, there are chances that your blood pressure can shoot up.

New research finds that talking too much on your mobile phone can increase your blood pressure. Researchers from Italy’s Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital enlisted 94 men and women who randomly received calls on their mobile, seated alone in a room, while their blood pressure measurements were taken via an automated device. The team saw that subjects’ blood pressure readings jumped to 129/82 from 121/77 while they chatted on a phone.

But, for those who talked on their phones more than 30 times each day, the rise in BP was less dramatic. While the researchers aren’t clear as to why this happens, study lead Dr G Crippa speculates: “The patients more accustomed to phone use were younger, which could show that younger people are less prone to be disturbed by telephone intrusions.” He adds: “Another possibility is that people who make more than 30 calls per day may feel more reassured if the mobile phone is activated since they are not running the risk of missing an opportunity.” Relaxnews